Significance of Changes in the Electrocardiogram After Electrically Induced Convulsions in Man

BELLET and associates1studied the effects of electrically induced convulsions on the electrocardiogram in man and recorded the frequent occurrence of sinoauricular block, sinus arrhythmia, shifting pacemaker, auricular premature beats and auriculoventricular nodal rhythm; these arrhythmias were considered to be consequent to vagal hyperactivity. Reference may also be found in the clinical literature to the occurrence of auricular fibrillation after electroshock therapy.2On the other hand, Nyman and Silfverskiöld3emphasized changes in the P and T waves and laid little emphasis on the development of arrhythmias and bradycardia. In order to evaluate the frequency, degree and significance of cardiac inhibition which might occur as a consequence of electrically induced convulsions, it was considered of interest to make further observations on the electrocardiogram and simultaneously to study the changes in the circulation time. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty studies were made in 10 patients. The ages of the subjects